INDIAN OWNED BUSINESS BRINGS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY TO NEW MEXICO RURAL NATIVE AMERICAN HOMES

For Immediate Release, December 22 2004 Contact: Stephine Poston (505) 379-6172

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Fifty homes in the outer reaches of the Navajo Nation will soon have electricity for the first time as a result of a partnership between the Sacred Power Corporation and the Chapter Houses of Torreon and Ojo Encino Chapters of the Eastern Navajo Nation. The electricity will be generated utilizing photovoltaic systems manufactured and delivered/installed by Sacred Power Corporation, a Native American Company located in Albuquerque, NM.

Tina Hicks, a resident in one of the homes was thrilled about the kids being able to study by light instead of by lantern. Ms. Hicks is already noticing that solar power is not only environmentally great, it is cost efficient as well. "We won't have to purchase lantern fluid anymore, and our new solar powered refrigerator is really cold" Ms. Hicks said.

Ojo Encino President, Ted Mace, spoke of the many homes without power and the frustration he encountered when he asked why his people could not get electricity or running water. "This is no ordinary endeavor, as these homes have never had any source of energy. Now they can turn on the Christmas lights and feel good about it because the power source will be environmentally friendly," stated President Mace.

Newly elected Torreon Chapter President, Joe Cayaditto, was pushing for the project because it will open the door to getting tribal businesses and enterprises up and running. "The potential for restaurants, bed and breakfasts and other businesses could provide much needed economic development," said President Cayaditto.

Sacred Power Corporation is a Native American Owned Company who specializes in solar power. Dave Melton of Laguna Pueblo and co-principal of Sacred Power said "It is exciting to bring energy to homes in Indian Country who have never had any source of power to do things that we take for granted like getting cold milk from the fridge and lighting for kids to study. Native American people throughout this country deserve these basic services that everyone else has."

The high costs associated with bringing power to these rural homes have deterred other energy providers from providing services. As a result, many Indian rural homes have been overlooked and have gone too long without power. "Local utility companies have high voltage lines within 'close distance' of some of the homes yet cannot afford to install transformers to drop voltages to residential levels and/or extend the grid," commented Odes Armijo-Caster, Sacred Power's co-principal.

The operation and utilization of PV/Hybrids is critical. Sacred Power will provide energy efficient lighting (compact fluorescent) and high efficiency refrigeration units that work well with PV/Wind/battery systems. In addition to the benefits of electricity, Sacred Power will also provide training and education to the end-user. Sacred Power will train new Sacred Power employees or new entrepreneurs who will be hired from the local Chapter Houses to maintain the systems and for the homeowners to call on locally.

Funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utility Service, Washington, D.C.

Sacred Powers operates out of two locations; Corporate headquarters at 2401 12th St., NW, Suite 204-205, Albuquerque, NM 87104; the other is their manufacturing facility at 2109 Commercial NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, 6 blocks to the east, which resides in a HUB Zone.